Welcome to Tapestry Talk!
Today, we're honored to feature Stefanie Trento, a mental health counselor, owner of Beautiful Mind Counseling Center, and a dedicated advocate for family well-being. Stefanie, thank you for joining us and sharing your insights with our community.
Tell us about yourself, background, and family life.
I’m Stefanie Trento, a mental health counselor, proud owner of Beautiful Mind Counseling Center, and most importantly, a mom! My husband, our 2.5-year-old daughter, and our two dogs, Stella & Hawke, make our home complete. We cherish family time, especially weekends at the beach. Personally, yoga and mindfulness are integral to my life, both as a therapist and a mother.
Tell us about Beautiful Mind Counseling Center and your services.
Beautiful Mind Counseling Center offers specialized therapeutic and wellness services to support individuals facing life’s challenges. Our services range from individual, family, and parenting counseling to couples counseling and EMDR therapy. My commitment is to prioritize client well-being and provide comprehensive support through every obstacle.
What are some core values or principles you prioritize in your parenting approach?
Central to our parenting philosophy is ensuring our daughter feels seen, heard, loved, and supported in every interaction. We emphasize calmness in addressing situations to foster co-regulation. While perfection isn’t the goal, returning to these values guides us through slip-ups and keeps us grounded.
We also prioritize daily outdoor time and engaging, present play with our daughter. Play therapy techniques, integral to my counseling practice, help her decompress and express herself freely.
How can parents model healthy emotional behavior for their children?
We believe in authentically sharing our emotional spectrum with our daughter, demonstrating positive coping strategies like deep breathing, meditation, walks, or simply taking a moment for oneself. Normalizing all emotions—sadness, joy, anger—helps her understand that each feeling is valid and manageable.
What mental health practices do you incorporate into your daily routine with your children?
Each morning, our daughter practices affirmations in front of the mirror, reinforcing positivity and self-worth. At night, we engage in gratitude exercises, reflecting on the day’s highlights and fostering appreciation.
Can you share any experiences where focusing on mental health has positively impacted your family?
Prioritizing mental health has created a serene household environment. Open communication, emotional expression, and respectful interactions form the bedrock of our family dynamics. When challenges arise, we lean on this foundation, easing difficulties and promoting overall well-being.
What are some common misconceptions about children's emotional health that you would like to address?
Children possess a remarkable understanding of their emotional health when equipped with tools and guidance. Their innate brightness and intuition often surprise adults who underestimate their emotional depth and resilience.
What role do play and creative activities have in supporting emotional health?
Play and creative activities are crucial for entering the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calmness and relaxation. They facilitate emotional processing, strengthen neural pathways, and contribute to learning, emotional stability, and healthy relationships.
Can you share any techniques or strategies that help you stay mentally balanced?
For maintaining mental balance, I prioritize activities that ground me—whether it’s yoga, a walk, or reading. The beach serves as my sanctuary, and the support of my family and loved ones is invaluable in navigating life’s challenges.
What aspects of The Mindset Tapestry do you find most beneficial for your family and clients?
I particularly appreciate The Mindset Tapestry’s visual cues for affirmations with our daughter. It enhances our existing routines, expands her emotional vocabulary, and facilitates deeper conversations about her feelings and experiences.
Has being a parent changed your perspective as a therapist?
Parenthood has humbled me and enriched my therapeutic approach. Each child and family is uniquely complex, and my experience as a mother has made me more creative in supporting them. Above all, I recognize that parents are the experts on their children, and I am privileged to walk alongside them in their journeys.
Thank you, Stefanie, for sharing your valuable insights into parenting, mental health, and the profound impact of mindfulness in family life. Your dedication to supporting others through Beautiful Mind Counseling Center is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing the continued positive influence of your work in our community.